Calder Memorial Trophy

Although a defenseman, DENIS POTVIN had a 123 point season in his last season of junior. The Islanders made POTVIN the first overall pick in 1973, drafting DENIS from his hometown Ottawa 67s. That fall, he was in the NHL. The leap from junior to the NHL is huge, but POTVIN maneuvered through the jump in admirable fashion. In his rookie campaign, DENIS POTVIN nudged Tom Lysiak of Atlanta aside to win the CALDER TROPHY as the league’s top rookie. He scored 17 goals and 37 assists for 54 points in 1973-74.